When it comes to search engine optimization, citation building is one of the most important (and often overlooked) aspects of the process. In fact, recent changes to Google’s algorithm have made citation building even more important than ever before. So if you’re not already paying attention to your dealership’s citations, now is the time to start.
What are citations? In the most basic sense, citations are simply mentions of your business on the internet. This can include your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP), as well as other important details like your website URL or email address. Citations can be found on your own website, on directory and listings sites, on review platforms, and even on social media.
The Importance of Citation Building for Dealerships
There are four main reasons why citation building is so important for dealerships:
1. Citations Help Your Dealership Get Found Online
One of the most important functions of citations is to help potential customers find your dealership online. When someone does a search for “car dealerships near me,” Google will display a list of relevant businesses, along with their NAP information. If your dealership’s NAP is listed on a large number of websites, it will signal to Google that your business is relevant and trustworthy, and you’re more likely to show up higher in the search results.
2. Citations Help Your Dealership Build Trust and Authority
In addition to helping potential customers find your dealership, citations also help to build trust and authority with both customers and search engines. When your NAP is consistent across the web, it signals to Google that your business is reliable and trustworthy. And when potential customers see that your dealership’s NAP is listed on a number of review sites and directories, they’re more likely to trust your dealership and do business with you.
3. Citations Help Your Dealership Rank Higher in Local Search Results
Citations can also help your dealership rank higher in local search results. Google’s Local Pack algorithm ranks businesses based on a number of factors, including the number and quality of citations. So if your dealership has a large number of high-quality citations, you’re more likely to show up in the Local Pack when potential customers do a search for “car dealerships near me.”
4. Citations Help Your Dealership Drive More Traffic to Your Website
Finally, citations can help your dealership drive more traffic to your website. When your NAP is listed on a number of websites, it creates more opportunities for potential customers to find your dealership and click through to your website. And when potential customers see that your website is listed on a number of review sites and directories, they’re more likely to trust your dealership and visit your website.
The Bottom Line
Citation building is an important part of any dealership’s search engine optimization strategy. By building citations on a variety of websites, you can help your dealership get found online, build trust and authority, rank higher in local search results, and drive more traffic to your website. So if you’re not already paying attention to your dealership’s citations, now is the time to start.
